Committees (UTRGV School of Medicine)
Standing Committees
Committees in the UTRGV School of Medicine inform education, research, governance, administration and other key activities within the medical school. Below is the list of all official committees within the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Accreditation Review and Continuous Quality Improvement Committee (ARCQI)
The Accreditation Review and Continuous Quality Improvement Committee (ARCQI) is responsible for regularly monitoring the accreditation standards of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) during the interval between accreditation visits for the purpose of continuous quality improvement of its medical education program. ARCQI shall assure that benchmarks and measurements selected for monitoring are appropriate and measurable and provide monitoring and oversight of any action plans. The Associate Dean for Assessment & Quality Improvement shall be a member of the committee with voting privilege. The Assistant Dean of Assessment, Evaluation and Quality, or applicable position, shall be an ex-officio member of the committee without voting privilege.
In addition, the ARCQI committee will address:
- Any existing or new elements where LCME expectations have evolved;
- Elements that include policies that must be congruent with current operations;
- Elements that directly or indirectly affect the core operations of the school; and
- Standards/elements that were cited in the SOM's previous LCME survey.
Standing Members
- Michael Uhrbrock (ex officio)
- Monica Alaniz (ex officio)
- Muriel Warren (ex officio)
- Robert Nelson (ex officio
Term Expires 2024
Term Expires 2023
Term Expires 2022
- Deepu George (Chair until June 30, 2022)
- Naomi D’Acolatse
- Prakhar Jain (Student, MS2)
- Stanley Fisch
Contact Information
Deepu George (Chair)
Email: Deepu.George@utrgv.edu
Lynn Gregory (Admin. Support)
Email: Lynn.Gregory@utrgv.edu
Admissions Committee
The Admissions Committee shall evaluate the credentials and qualifications of the student applicants and make the final selection of those applicants who are best suited for the study of medicine and in accordance with the educational goals articulated in the SOM mission statement. The committee will maintain independence and make decisions without influences external to the committee. The final authority for admissions decisions is the Admissions Committee. Decisions by the Admissions Committee cannot be overruled or rejected.
Appointment: Members are appointed for terms of three years on a staggered schedule with one-third of the committee completing a term of service annually. Appointments are renewable. The Dean shall appoint or reappoint a Chair and Vice Chair annually.
Standing Members
Term Expires 2024
- Carolina Gomez de Ziegler
- Cesar Gutierrez
- Eron Manusov
- Frank Gilliam
- Harald Goring
- Paul Berry
- Rebecca Resendiz-Rodriguez
- Sheema Khan
- Wayne Wilson
Term Expires 2023
Term Expires 2022
- Christian Peña (Student, MS3)
- Cristel Escalona (Chair until 6/30/22)
- Elizbeth Mellin (Vice-Chair until 6/30/22)
- Hugo Rodriguez
- Lily Chen (Student, MS4)
- Sabrina Orta (Student, MS3)
- Siddanth Singh (Student, MS4)
Contact Information
Dr. Cristel Escalona (Chair)
Email: Cristel.Escalona@utrgv.edu
Elizabeth Salinas (Program Specialist)
Email: Elizabeth.Salinas08@utrgv.edu
Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC)
The Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC) is the body that oversees the undergraduate medical education program. including the design, management, integration, evaluation and enhancement of a coherent and coordinated curriculum. Specifically, the CCAC shall perform the following functions, including but limited to:
- Define objectives that guide curricular content and provide the basis for program evaluations of effectiveness;
- Define types of patients, clinical conditions, levels of responsibility, and appropriate settings for student experiences;
- Assure that the curriculum incorporates opportunities for active learning, independent study, development of critical thinking and problem-solving, demonstration of ethical behaviors, and practice of communication skills;
- Assure assessment of student outcomes;
- Ensure comparable educational experiences across sites within a discipline;
- Ensure that student formative and summative assessments measure outcomes linked to defined curricular objectives and that students receive them in a timely manner;
- Access expertise in curricular design, pedagogy, assessment and evaluation methods;
- Utilize national norms of accomplishment as a frame of reference;
- Monitor content and workload in each discipline and identify gaps and redundancies;
- Evaluate both whole and component parts of the curriculum for achievement of medical education program objectives, revising curriculum continuously and with freedom from parochial, political or department pressures;
- Ensure logical sequencing of the various segments of the curriculum;
- Ensure content is coordinated and integrated within and across the academic periods of study (i.e., horizontal and vertical integration); and
- Establish graduation requirements for M.D. candidates
- Considers and approves all curriculum related policies.
Academic officers without teaching or research responsibilities may serve as ex officio members without voting privilege.
Term Expires 2025
Term Expires 2024
- Adrian Sandoval
- Kelsey Baker
- Subhash Chauhan
- Timothy Loy (Vice-Chair until 6/30/22)
Term Expires 2023
- Naomi D’Acolatse (Chair until 6/30/22)
- Robert Nelson
- Veronica Salazar
- Wayne Wilson
- Wendy Innis
Term Expires 2022
- Amin Shah
- Kevin Orellana (Student, MS3)
- Kristan Diaz-Rios
- Jose Campo Maldonado
- Miguel Garza (Student, MS2)
- Pratip Mitra
- Sara M. Reyna
- Shuaibahmed Arab (Student, MS1)
- Stanley Fisch
- Stephanie Onyechi (Student, MS4)
- Xioqian (Naomi) Fang
Ex-Officio (1-year term)
Contact Information
Dr. Naomi D’Acolatse (Chair)
Email: Naomi.DAcolatse@utrgv.edu
Maria Salinas (Program Specialist)
Email: Maria.Salinas12@utrgv.edu
Committee on Committees (CoC)
The Committee on Committees (CoC) shall advise the Dean concerning the membership criteria,number of members, length of membership terms and charge of the standing committees and shall make annual recommendations on the membership of those committees. The COC will annually identify qualified, interested members of the UTRGV SOM faculty to propose for membership on standing committees of the SOM. It may also be called upon to propose members for ad hoc committees, task forces, or other groups at the request of the Dean. In addition, the COC is responsible for periodically reviewing existing committees so that appropriate recommendations can be made to the Dean with regard to changes, additions, or deletions affecting the role, scope, and structure of those committees. COC members are appointed annually by the Dean to ensure appropriate turnover of committee membership.
The committee is responsible for sending out an annual call for standing committee nominations (including self-nomination) to the Assembly membership, in addition to identifying potential committee nominees and encouraging their participation. The annual call should include a list of all standing committees with the charge for each; a statement indicating that an expression of interest does not guarantee election; and an opportunity for respondents to rank committees by level of interest.
The COC will review all submitted nominees and forward nominees to the Dean. Every effort will be made by the COC to provide the Dean with twice the number of approved nominees as needed. However, if a sufficient number of nominees are not available, the Dean may directly request that a Department Chair nominate a faculty member to participate on a committee. Final appointments will be made by the Dean from the list of nominees no later than June 30th.
Term Expires 2024
Term Expires 2023
- Adrian Sandoval (Chair until 6/30/22)
- Subhash Chauhan
Term Expires 2022
Contact Information
Dr. Adrian Sandoval (Chair)
Email: Adrian.Sandoval@utrgv.edu
Anna Olivarez (Program Coordinator)
Email: Anna.Olivarez@utrgv.edu
Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee shall have the responsibility to advise and assist the Chief Diversity Officer in developing, updating and supporting policies and programs that advance diversity and inclusion related to the SOM faculty, staff, students and other trainees, and in particular, with regard to recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion. The Diversity Committee will be responsible for interacting with and having representation on all other standing committees. The Chief Diversity Officer serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee, with voting privileges.
Standing Members
- Adela Valdez
- Sofia Hernandez (Chair until 6/30/22)
Term Expires 2024
Term Expires 2023
Term Expires 2022
Contact Information
Sofia Hernandez (Chair)
Email: Sofia.Hernandez@utrgv.edu
Esmeralda Lozano (Admin. Support)
Email: Esmeralda.Lozano@utrgv.edu
Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC)
The Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), in collaboration with the Designated Institutional Official (DIO), is responsible for all ACGME-accredited programs of the SOM. The GMEC has responsibility for establishing and implementing policies, monitoring and advising on all aspects of residency and fellowship education in sponsored GME programs, and adjudicating matters of deliberation. This responsibility includes ensuring the quality of education and the work and learning environment for all residents in all programs and ensuring compliance with ACGME policies. The committee shall oversee the performance of appropriate evaluations of each training program to assess compliance with both the institutional requirements and relevant program requirements of the ACGME. The committee shall serve as a forum for discussion of GME issues, to include not only clinical environments but also resident quality of life, recruitment, and outcomes. The DIO serves as a voting ex officio member of the committee and the chair of GMEC.
Committee Roster AY 2021-2022
- Adela Valdez
- Adrian Sandoval
- Alexis Normendez
- Amy Stout
- Ana Almeda;
- Andreina Prado
- Asif Zamir
- Brandon Cantazaro
- Carlos Parisi
- Carlos Ramos
- Chelsea Chang
- Christian Avalos
- Christine Loftis
- Diana Chapa
- Dung Dang
- Elissa Serapio
- Fatima Bello
- Gaudencio Olgin
- Gerardo Munoz-Monaco
- Heidi Pareja-Fernandez
- Henry Reinhart
- Jennifer Ortega
- Jennifer Salcedo
- Jessica Martin
- Jimmy Gonzales
- Joe Galvan
- Julio Gonzalez
- Kristan Diaz-Rios
- Laura Garcia
- Lawrence Harkless
- Lori Berry
- Magaly Morales
- Michael Dobbs
- Michael Escamilla
- Michael Martinez
- Michael Sander
- Michelle Cordoba-Kissee
- Michelle Lopez
- Mourad Alsabbagh
- Naomi D'Acolatse
- Nausheen Jamal (Chair until 6/30/22)
- Naweed Hayat
- Nina Barrientos
- Ramiro Tovar
- Rick Martinez
- Ryan Shine
- Samuel Saunders
- Shuemara Ondoy
- Sonia Padilla
- Sunand Kallumadanda
- Suneet Johal
- Timothy Heath
- Veronica Salazar
- Yamil Aude
- Yolanda Felion
Contact Information
Dr. Nausheen Jamal (Chair)
Email: Nausheen.Jamal@utrgv.edu
Nina Barrientos (Support staff)
Email: Nina.Barrientos@utrgv.edu
Medical Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (MSEPC)
The Medical Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (MSEPC) is charged with the review of the academic progress and professional development of each student during all components of the four-year medical education program. The Committee has primary responsibility for recommending for graduation only those candidates who have satisfactorily completed all graduation requirements and demonstrated the professional conduct appropriate for a physician. The committee, acting under the authority delegated to it by the Dean, shall be responsible for decisions on leaves of absence, promotion and/or remediation of medical students. Students may appeal any decisions set forth by the MSEPC to the SOM Dean whose decision is final. Module and clerkship directors are not eligible for membership.
Term Expires 2024
- Daniel Albo
- Joanne Curran (Chair until 6/30/24)
Term Expires 2023
Term Expires 2022
Contact Information
Dr. Joanne Curran (Chair)
Email: Joanne.Curran@utrgv.edu
Optimal Learning Environment Committee (OLEC)
The Optimal Learning Environment Committee (OLEC) will help to foster a positive and professional learning environment by sponsoring initiatives, outreach and educational programming aimed at enhancing communication and professionalism in all learning environments. The OLEC is charged with:
- Promoting a learning environment that best supports student and resident education;
- Raising awareness about what constitutes mistreatment and unprofessional behavior through working with appropriate offices to develop educational activities for medical students, residents, and faculty;
- Reviewing the results of student and resident evaluations of courses, clerkships, and rotations related to the learning environment;
- Reviewing surveys of students, residents, and other groups to ascertain further information regarding positive and negative influences in this arena;
- Monitoring influences (positive and negative) throughout the learning environment; and
- Informing policies action plans and reviewing ongoing data on the learning environment.
All SOM deans and faculty are responsible for reporting information to the OLEC Chair that have been brought to them regarding concerns about the learning environment and unprofessional behavior with personal identifiers redacted. Based on these sources of information the OLEC will make recommendations regarding the need for interventions (e.g., faculty and staff education and development) to address issues that are leading to a sub-optimal learning environment.
Term Expires 2024
- Evan Perez (Chair until 6/30/24)
- Kathy Carter
- Michael Dobbs
- Nevine Varghese
- Sheema Khan
Term Expires 2023
Term Expires 2022
- Herbert Nassour
- Paul Renaud
- Sonia Wadekar (Student, MS3)
- Xioqian Fang
Contact Information
Dr. Evan Perez (Chair)
Email: Evan.D.Perez@utrgv.edu
Ms. Veronica De Hoyos (Admin. Support)
Email: Veronica.Dehoyos@utrgv.edu
Promotion, Tenure and Appointment Committee (PTAC)
The Promotion Tenure and Appointment Committee (PTAC) is responsible for the oversight of all appointments of faculty members hired by the SOM, for establishing, maintaining and implementing the criteria for promotion within the tracks and ranks of faculty, and for recommending promotion, as well as the conferral of tenure to deserving faculty members. All such recommendations of the PTAC go to the Dean. Recommendations for policy changes related to Appointment, Promotions, and Tenure go to the Dean's Advisory Committee. Ex officio non-voting representatives to the PTAC are the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and the Associate Dean for Diversity.
The PTAC will have nine (9) General Faculty members, of which seven (7) will be voting and two (2) nonvoting. Voting faculty will include two (2) tenured full Professors; three (3) nontenured full Professors; one (1) tenured Associate Professor; and one (1) nontenured Associate Professor. All seven (7) members will vote on nontenured faculty promotion; only the three (3) tenured faculty will vote on promotion and tenure for tenure-eligible faculty. Non-voting faculty will include two (2) Assistant Professors. Non-voting members may not, make a motion, or second a motion. In consideration of promotion to Professor, Associate Professors may participate in discussions but not vote. Individuals who have served two consecutive terms must, stand down for at least (1) year before serving another term. Any department chair holding a position on the PTAC must recuse themselves from a vote on faculty applying for appointment, promotion or tenure within their department.
The Dean shall appoint five (5) members: two (2) full Professors, one (1) Associate Professor and two (2) Assistant Professors. The Faculty Assembly shall elect four (4) members: three (3) full Professors and one (l) Associate Professor. The Chair is elected by the membership of the committee and serves for one (1) year; the Chair may be elected to a maximum of two consecutive one-year terms.
Term Expires 2024
- Chelsea Chang (elected member)
- Eron Manusov (elected member)
- Fatima Bello
- Joanne Curran (elected member)
- Paul Berry
Term Expires 2023
- Murali Yallapu
- Tom Howard (elected member)
Term Expires 2022
- Padmanabhan Rengasamy
- Tony Ogburn (Chair until 6/30/22)
Ex Officio Members
Contact Information
Dr. Tony Ogburn (Chair)
Email: Tony.Ogburn@utrgv.edu
Elizabeth Reyes (Program Manager)
Email: Elizabeth.Reyes@utrgv.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I serve on a committee?
Calls for committee membership are made annually or as needed. Interested faculty, staff, students and residents should complete the interest survey form. The information will be compiled, and the pool of potential members will be forwarded to the chair of the Committee on Committees (CoC).
Some members of committees are elected by the Faulty Assembly in accordance with the bylaws. For appointed members, below is the timeline and process for nomination and selection:
| April 1: | CoC sends out call for nominations to serve on SOM Standing Committees |
| April 2-30: | Faculty and others submit nominations (self/peer) and CoC confirms candidacy and willingness to serve |
| May 31: | CoC reviews nominations and sends a list to SOM dean with recommendations for committee membership, criteria, number of members, length of membership terms. |
| June 30: | SOM dean appoints members to SOM Standing Committees for new terns starting July 1 |
What are my responsibilities as a member of a committee?
The responsibilities of each committee are outlined in the bylaws. Generally, committees are required to meet and submit progress reports at least quarterly. Members are required to attend meetings otherwise the chair may terminate the appointment of any member at the end of the academic year if they do not attend meetings and/or vote at least 50% of the time.
Why is it important to serve on committees?
Serving on a committee strengthens you and strengthens UTRGV SOM.
Faculty participation in committees is an excellent way of engaging in the governance of our UTRGV School of Medicine. Service on committees offers the best type of contribution in carrying out the priorities of the school while also meeting the requirements for promotion and tenure. Just as important, working together with peers to inform and steer key school issues, develop policies, and help guide administrative decisions provides the best type of professional growth. Committee service provides faculty full immersion resulting in a strong understanding of the policies and procedures of the school and its many moving parts. Together, the many moving parts form the integrity of a strong medical education for our students and community.
Contact
Dean's Office
UTRGV School of Medicine
Email: AskUTRGVsom@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1900